Sunderland manager Peter Reid has been urged to get a move on if he wants to press home his interest in wantaway Blackburn mid- fielder Jason McAteer.

The Lancashire club last night revealed that the Republic of Ireland international could be confirmed as a Black Cats' player by the end of this week if all goes to plan.

But McAteer's agent, David Lockwood, insists the ball is now in Sunderland's court - with Rovers still waiting for a firm offer, despite negotiations having already taken place between the two parties.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness is believed to be seeking a fee of &#xA3;1m for the former Liverpool player. And with McAteer himself keen on making the move to the North-East, the former Premiership champions insist a move is imminent.

"Jason McAteer could become a Sunderland player by the end of the week," a statement posted on Blackburn's official club website revealed.

"Talks are ongoing between the player, his agent and the Wearsiders and indications seem to suggest he will sign."

The player has already spoken of his desire to join the Black Cats - and has discussed such a move with Sunderland players Niall Quinn and Kevin Kilbane while away on duty with the Irish. Republic manager Mick McCarthy has repeatedly warned McAteer that his international future could hinge on him playing regular Premiership football. And the player knows that will not happen at Ewood Park, with Rovers' boss Souness not a fan of his.

Since discussing McAteer's future with Reid, Lockwood has been forced to play a waiting game. And the agent is now waiting for a call from Rovers' chief executive John Williams to confirm there has been an acceptable bid from the Stadium of Light.

"I can confirm there's interest from Sunderland in the player, that there's been contact between the two clubs and that there has been contact between myself, Sunderland and Blackburn," he said last night. "It's fair to say that our discussions are ongoing. But until the time that I get a call from John Williams to say they've accepted a bid, there is nothing else I can do - it's just a case of waiting.

"It could happen by the end of the week, yes. But it could also take four weeks - it's not a foregone conclusion by any means."

Reid remains keen to add to his squad before Monday's Tees-Wear derby encounter with Middlesbrough, with the Sunderland fans desperate to see new faces arrive at the club after an uncertain start to the campaign.

Trevor Sinclair remains his number one target, with the West Ham midfielder revealing a &#xA3;5.5m offer tabled by the Black Cats' boss has been turned down by the Hammers this week. The England hopeful is keeping his fingers crossed that Reid will up his offer, insisting that a move away from the Premiership strugglers can only help his international prospects.

"I do believe I've got into the England squad through West Ham but to push for the squad on a more consistent level I feel my performance would be much better if I got the bit between my teeth elsewhere and had a new challenge," Sinclair said.

"It's about ambition and taking on a new challenge, moving to different pastures. You never know what's around the corner and I am just keeping my options open and waiting to see what happens."

But a deal for the striker will not be resurrected unless one side agrees to back down in their valuation.

Sunderland remain adamant that Dichio will not be allowed to leave Wearside for less than &#xA3;1m, while Megson will only offer &#xA3;750,000 for the player.

Michael Reddy has returned to the Stadium of Light from his loan spell at Hull.

The striker scored four goals for the Tigers, despite starting just one game. "We're aware that Michael wanted a regular starting place but we can't give him any guarantees about that," said Hull chairman Adam Pearson, who had hoped to extend Reddy's loan spell at Boothferry Park. * Leeds' home Worthing-ton Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea will be played on Wednesday, November 28 (7.45pm) and will be televised live by ITV2.